New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-07

should not get through its work 10y the middle Of
May it does not appear on the surface There
are few important bills among the ], 100 now
awaiting consideration. There are a number
of bills to revive dcfunct railroad corporations
and the friends of these schemes arc said 10
be anxious to prolong the session but it will bc
to the credit of the Legislature if such plans fail.
The late hour at which the polls close in
Rhode Island and the number of split tickets
voted made an early report Of tho result Of
yesterdays election impossible. The Rcpub-
lican candidate for Governor appears TO have
been defeated, but the election of Republican
Legislature is thought to be assured. Con-
sidcring the extraordinary efforts which have
been made by the Democrats, the opponents
OF tho prOhibitory law, and the Mugwumps to
prevent the reelection Of Governor Wctmore
the partial success Of the combination is not
surprising. But such q result will not help
Rhode Island, nor will it be likely 10 bring
much comfort 70 the men responsible for it.
The ease with which bills fastening additional
burdens on this city get through the Legislature
Is surprising. The Governor recently approved
the Tenement House bill, which increased by
fifteen the number of inspectors at the disposal
Of the Health Board. Notwithstanding this
fact. Mr. Cantor introduced bill yesterday
providing for five more sanitary inspectors
and it was at once ordered to third reading.
A bill to establish an additional free public
bath--a matter that should be left entirely to
the discretion of the local authorites-was
passed in the Assembly along with other SIM
liar mandatory measures. This is the kind Of
work that brings discredit On the Legislature.
The much talked Of resolution in favor Of
free raw materials received just two votes in
the Connecticut Senate. This Is lame and
impotent conclusion TO the efforts of the Free
Traders of Connecticut under the lead of such
teachers as Professor Sumner. Only two Dem
ocrats were willing to 60 on record in favor
OF this proposed modification of the protective
tariff. The trouble with tho free trade party
in States like Connecticut is the readiness Of
its representatives to elect free trade Speaker
ct Washington. and to organize the House in
the interest Of Free Trade, while at home it
= prctends to be in favor Of the tariff. 1t ought
to be judged by its record in the House which
has jurisdiction Of the subject
The action OF the Interstate Commission in
relieving the Southern railway and steamship
lines from the operations Of the long and short
haul clause Of the new law, unless such relief
is extended to the other lines affected by the
statute. win DO apt to cause much dissatisfac-
ton. 1t has already been unfavorably criticised
by prominent official Of the Pennsylvania
Railroad. and undoubtedly other railroad men
in the North will take the same view Of it..
The Southern roads have had precisely the
same opportunities to prepare for the law as
those in the North. AS for water competition,
II exists pretty much all over the country.
II viii be found impossible TO enforce the law
IN one part Of tho county and not in another.
Ihe public Ia waiting for an official construc-